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The ex-lover of jailed paedophile and former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins has pleaded not guilty to charges relating to indecent images of children.

Joanne Mjadzelics appeared before Cardiff Crown Court and officials confirmed the 38-year-old defendant from Doncaster pleaded not guilty to seven charges.

Joanne Mjadzelics. Credit: ITV News

Six relate to the alleged possession and distribution of indecent images of children. The other relates to an allegation that she encouraged Watkins to send her an indecent image of a child.

Mjadzelics, who was granted bail, will go on trial on January 5 next year. Watkins, 36, is serving a 35-year jail term for a string of sex offences, including the attempted rape of a baby. Two of his female co-defendants, who cannot be named, were given 14 and 16 years custodial terms.

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The disgraced rock star and former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins lodged an application for permission to appeal. Watkins was handed a 35-year sentence for a string of child sex offences, including a custodial term of 29 years and a further six on licence.

Watkins was sentenced to 35 years, Credit: Tara Vickers/EMPICS Entertainment

Watkins, 36, was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court last month.

He confessed to 13 offences and was described as a committed and determined paedophile.

His two accomplices, Woman A and Woman B, were jailed for 14 years and 16 years respectively.

Stressing the singer will be treated no differently than others, Glyn Travis said:

It is likely he will be at serious risk of self-harming and suicide.

Like any new prisoner convicted of a serious offence and handed a lengthy custodial term, he would present some challenges to ensure his safety.

He will be checked over by doctors and nurses and a plan will be put in place for any issues relating so any drug problems he still may have. But the Prison Service will deal with him like they would anyone else.

Mr Travis said the lead singer's celebrity status could mean he becomes a target by an inmate "looking to make a name for themselves." He said:

Prison staff will be aware of this and assess these risks accordingly.

While on remand he was at HMP Parc in Bridgend, but his permanent home will now be HMP Wakefield in Yorkshire, the largest high security prison in western Europe and nicknamed "Monster Mansion."

Other prisoners serving substantial sentences at the facility include notorious paedophiles such as April Jones' killer Mark Bridger and Steven Barker who murdered 17-month old Peter Connelly - also known as Baby P.

The prison was also where serial killer Dr Harold Shipman hanged himself in 2004.

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The family of paedophile Ian Watkins will "not totally cast him aside", the singer's stepdad John Davies said, according to The Daily Mail.

The former Lostprophets singer in 2010. Credit: PA

Davies, a Baptist Minister, told the paper that while he could "cheerfully spend an hour knocking [Watkins] around a cell," the family are hoping the convicted child abuser can be rehabilitated.

He said: "The police said he wouldn’t think twice about hanging you or anyone else out to dry, why are you bothering, why would you want to stand by him?

"‘I said, because he is my stepson. Because it gives me an opportunity to seek some healing in a very broken family.’"

Mr Davies said his "heart ached" for his wife, who he said is seriously unwell after a kidney transplant.

"Ian had a very strong relationship with his mother. It is a very deep bond," he said. "My heart aches for any individual who has been drawn into this and been affected by it. And only time will tell who those victims are."

The search for further victims of "determined and depraved" paedophile Ian Watkins will continue, South Wales police said.

Ian Watkins performing in 2010. Credit: PA Wire

Other investigations in the United States and Germany are ongoing, and police in Wales are currently following up on leads from the public. Detective Chief Inspector Peter Doyle, speaking after sentencing said:

"There are also investigations being conducted by other police forces around the world, including Germany and the United States. Above all, this investigation has been focused on the protection of children and my thoughts today remain with those victims."

The 21-year-old woman who allowed Ian Watkins to abuse her baby committed the "greatest betrayal a mother could", a judge said. Known only as "mother A" to protect the identity of her child, the woman was an obsessed fan almost half Watkins' age when she first met the singer in 2008.